The trial of former senator Bong Revilla and six co-accused in connection with an alleged P92.8 million ghost flood control project in Pandi, Bulacan is scheduled to begin on April 7 before the Sandiganbayan.

The court’s Fourth Division concluded the pre-trial proceedings on Thursday, March 5, clearing the way for the start of the trial on the graft case filed against Revilla and officials from the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Bulacan First District Engineering Office.

According to prosecutors, they plan to present 56 witnesses during the trial, while the defense said it will present 14 witnesses. Both sides expressed readiness to proceed with the court proceedings.

Aside from Revilla, the accused include:

• Former DPWH Bulacan assistant district engineer Brice Hernandez

• Former DPWH engineers Jaypee Mendoza,

• Arjay Domasig

• Emelita Juat,

• Finance section chief Juanito Mendoza

• Cashier Christina Pineda of the DPWH Bulacan First District Engineering Office.

Revilla has posted bail amounting to P90,000 for the graft charge. However, he remains detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas, Quezon City because he is also facing a non-bailable malversation case related to the same project.

His spokesperson, Francesca Señga, said Revilla’s legal team maintains that the former senator had no participation in the alleged irregularities.

“We are ready. In so far as yung 56 [witnesses] na yun, hihintayin namin and haharapin namin,” Señga told reporters.

She added that while the defense continues to stand by Revilla, they also respect the judicial process.

“Bagamat ipinaglalaban namin si Senator Bong, ginagalang din namin ang tamang proseso, ang korte at mga proseso nito. Susunod kami sa tamang proseso. Magta-trial tayo and haharapin natin,” Señga said.